An Anambra State High Court has sentenced an Indian hemp dealer, Chukwuebuka Nneji-Olona, to death by hanging for killing a policeman, Corporal Oluwadaini Temidayo.

It was gathered that the incident resulting in the death of the policeman took place at Oye-Olisa market, Ogbunike, in Oyi Local Government Area of the state in 2014.

The policeman it was learnt used to terrorise the hemp dealers in the area, an action that resulted in his being attacked and killed by dealers on one occasion.

Our source said,

“The defendant, feeling guilty that he killed the victim in cold blood and for fear of being caught, ran to the house of a herbalist to do a spiritual work for him that would free him from the guilt of killing the deceased which was disturbing him.

“The herbalist rather reported the matter to the local vigilante operatives, who arrested the defendant and handed him over to the Divisional Police Station at Nteje for investigation and persecution.

Delivering judgement on the matter, Justice O.C Amaechina said,

“After considering the evidence before me, I am left with no doubt as to the facts put forward by the state.

“I accordingly hold that the facts alleged by the state have been established beyond a reasonable doubt”.

” I, therefore, hold the accused liable of unlawfully killing of the deceased and found him guilty as charged. Hence the defendant has been sentenced to death by hanging.

Reacting to the judgement, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Stella Ofokansi said the judgement would serve as a deterrent to everyone that the law abhors jungle justice.

She added,

“ I hope people will learn that they can not engage in unlawful mob action and get away with it”.